Intermitant wiper switch

[drddan]

Great thread. Good info!

[Advancedynamix]

Yes, great info indeed. Thanks Brave. I know where I can get a tracer switch.... I think AZGTX has one with my name on it. Luxury wipers here I come! Hehe

[bravekozak]

It doesn't matter which car it comes from, wiring is more or less standard. the same number and gauge of wires. Only the color might be different. Each wire performs the same function. I changed the positions in the RX-7 power mirror control connectors that I have. They now work perfectly with the Festiva harness. It's the same for any circuit. That is how I got away with using MPV door harnesses. I just changed a few connectors. Just buy some open barrel terminals from easternbeaver, and you're laughing. Cut off the other manufacturers connector, crimp on some Yazaki terminals, scavenge some Mazda connectors at the junkyard and put them on. It doesn't matter if I am adapting a BMW underhood lamp switch, Mini Cooper lighted vanity visor or a Jeep courtesy light.

[Movin]

Its all the same only different ? lol

[SWRT]

Well, I suck with electrical stuff. I'm mainly looking for plug-n-play.
My hatch has no rear wiper. If I got an escort switch with a rear
wiper would it work anyway? Would I have to remove something?

I'm pretty much looking for whatever is easiest, although I may
get a hatch with a rear wiper in the future if I can find one so
that would be kind of nice if I could buy the one with the rear
wiper switch and plug it in for now but it not mess anything up.
That way if I got a rear hatch with a wiper in the future it'd have
the correct wiper stalk. Any info would be appreciated

[bravekozak]

Once upon a time the last number in the Ford base denoted whether it was a left hand (odd number) or right hand (even number) part. Irrelevant on a non-handed part.

[TominMO]

Stupid question: is the BF Tracer wiper switch a direct fit for the Festiva? Do I need any other wiring or relays? I thought there was something wired different from the Festiva.

I'm not that up on what BF means but I think you are referring to the 86-89 MYs? If so, then yes you can use the wiper switch. In fact you can pull the whole left-and-right switch assembly from any of the 1980s models Mazdas/Tracer and use it. The only different wiring is for the cruise control (if present), and those wires on the right stalk I just cut off. The variable-intermittent wiper is found on the upscale 323 and (I think) all 626s in the 1980s. Not sure if all Tracers got it or not. I refuse to have a Festy without it.

There is a different setup for the Aspire. My Aspire SE comes with single-speed intermittent wipers. Look at early-90s Contours (IIRC) for the direct-replacement variable-speed ones.

[jawja jim]

My variable int. wiper came from a 87 Tracer(orange marking) but the lights/directional is only compatible with 88-89.

[TominMO]

My variable int. wiper came from a 87 Tracer(orange marking) but the lights/directional is only compatible with 88-89.

There might be a difference between 323 and 626 then; or even orange vs. white, if white was a later generation. I just installed the white-letter left/right switch assembly from (probably) a late-1980s 626 and it all works fine.

[jawja jim]

Tom, when I was looking for one with orange face, I saw one Tracer on Ebay that appeared from the pictures to have the white 3 wire plug like the 92 Festiva and might have plugged right up. But it was too expensive, $120, for a try.

[SWRT]

Well, I suck with electrical stuff. I'm mainly looking for plug-n-play.
My hatch has no rear wiper. If I got an escort switch with a rear
wiper would it work anyway? Would I have to remove something?

I'm pretty much looking for whatever is easiest, although I may
get a hatch with a rear wiper in the future if I can find one so
that would be kind of nice if I could buy the one with the rear
wiper switch and plug it in for now but it not mess anything up.
That way if I got a rear hatch with a wiper in the future it'd have
the correct wiper stalk. Any info would be appreciated

Anyone have any insight on this?

[jawja jim]

All hatch wiper switches I'm familiar with are not on the stalk, but in the instrument cluster bezel. The wiring for the switch is already there, and the wiring for the wiper motor and washer is there in the harness ready to plug in. The washer liquid line is not and is kind of a pain to run. At least it was for me.

[SWRT]

Oh, that's not too bad then Thanks a lot!

[Eaglefreek]

What am I missing? I bought a combo switch for a 91-93 Escort for my 93 Festiva and the plugs on the Escort switch are totally different than the Festivas. I assumed this was plug and play. This is what I bought http://www.ebay.com/itm/400967133729...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[jawja jim]

I don't think any parts of that stalk are usable on a Festy. Escort and Tracer from the late 80s can swap the wiper module onto a festy combo switch fairly easily, but I don't think the light stalk is of any use.